In a forest ten kilometers from the battlefield, Killer B, clad in a red Tailed Beast Cloak, moved swiftly through the trees in his half-Tailed Beast form.
"Yeah… That old man… is really tough. Big bro got beaten down, Eight-Tails fell asleep, but this great me… I'm the clever B, the quick-witted Eight-Tails…"
After rapping, he pulled out his notebook and seriously jotted down his latest inspiration.
"B, where are you going? The camp is in the other direction…" Raikage, bound by chakra-formed tails, questioned from behind.
"… Big bro's seal… won't be undone 'til we get back home… The village awaits us… Oorah yeah…" Finishing his rap, Killer B continued scribbling in his notebook.
"You idiot! I need to stay on the front lines…" If the frontline collapsed, what would happen to the ninja who placed their trust in him? They had followed him from the village, believing in his strength.
"That's the great Killer B's trouble, my very own struggle…"
Despite his rapping, Killer B didn't slow down, showing no intention of listening to Raikage's pleas.
Danzo stared at the two massive octopus tentacles before him, his mood sour.
He had just outplayed Raikage using Wood Release, only to be tricked by Killer B's substitution technique.
When had it happened? Even with his Sharingan, he hadn't noticed a thing.
Wait…
That sealing clone technique…?
"Lord Danzo, he shouldn't have gotten far. Allow me to lead a team to capture them," Pakura knelt on one knee, her voice filled with determination.
Danzo, however, wasn't about to send her. Though Pakura was strong, she wasn't quite on Killer B's level.
"No need. They've escaped—let them go. Ensure our forces withdraw before nightfall."
Killer B and Raikage's escape had marred what was otherwise a perfect victory.
"Understood." Pakura glanced at Ikawa Kamimi before swiftly departing.
"Sealing team, take these tentacles back." Danzo steadied his emotions.
He then turned to the three elite jōnin led by Ikawa Kamimi, who weren't part of Root.
"You all did well. Each of you will be awarded an A-rank jutsu. The scrolls will be distributed by Root, and I will report your merits to the Hokage."
For their contributions in battle, Danzo didn't hesitate to grant them a generous reward.
For most civilian-born ninja, an A-rank jutsu was an invaluable prize.
"Thank you!"
Seeing their excitement, Danzo simply nodded, already considering the strategic implications of this battle.
"Clean up the battlefield. We camp here tonight and withdraw at dawn."
At the same time, the battle report was sent back to Hiashi Hyuga and Konoha through summoning beasts.
As night fell, Danzo read through the reports that had been delivered. The pursuit had been highly successful.
With the aid of the Byakugan, only a third of the Kumogakure forces managed to flee back to the Land of Lightning, while Konoha had suffered less than a tenth of their forces in losses. This was a clear-cut victory against superior numbers.
"What a shame…" Danzo sighed as he studied the report, recalling Raikage and Eight-Tails.
Even after exhausting all his hidden cards, he still couldn't prevent their escape.
And now, he had to figure out how to explain the use of Wood Release to the Hokage. Minato wouldn't be an issue… but if Tsunade found out, how was he supposed to explain it to her?
Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside, stopping at the entrance of his tent.
"Enter."
Ikawa Kamimi stepped in. As she knelt, the tight fabric of her bodysuit accentuated her figure. A fleeting thought crossed Danzo's mind—what if she wore leather instead…? But why was he even thinking about that? It had to be the excessive use of Yang-release chakra earlier…
Clearing his mind of these unnecessary distractions, Danzo spoke calmly.
"What is it?"
"I wish to join Root and serve under you." Ikawa Kamimi knelt with one hand on the ground, her eyes filled with determination.
"Oh? And why is that?" Danzo asked with interest.
Her current status as a jōnin wasn't low, and with this battle's achievements, she could advance even further.
"I lack natural talent, so I aspire to become a ninja like Lady Nonō." Kamimi lowered her head, her voice resolute.
Nonō Yakushi—Danzo's right-hand woman and the administrator of Root. She was one of the few figures openly affiliated with the organization.
Root's interactions with the Hokage's office were mostly handled by her. In public, she was the second-in-command of Root. In reality, she was nearly as powerful as Danzo himself.
Danzo scrutinized Ikawa Kamimi, recalling her background. A civilian-born kunoichi who had joined the Ikawa clan after her fiancé, an Ikawa clansman, was killed in action before their wedding. Despite that, she was accepted into the clan, gaining access to some resources. In eight years, she had risen to the rank of jōnin.
During the Third Great Ninja War, she became a squad leader, and after the war, Jiraiya had taken notice of her and promoted her further.
A true civilian success story.
But her potential had peaked.
Among civilians, she was exceptional.
But against those with inherited kekkei genkai or clan jutsu, she was merely an ordinary jōnin.
"You must understand that Root has no use for weaklings. Once you don a mask, taking it off is nearly impossible."
"I will prove my worth to you. Please grant me this opportunity." Her eyes held a fierce determination, and there was no concealing the ambition within them.
Danzo stared at her for a long moment before finally speaking.
"I will request approval from the Hokage. I hope you grow to appreciate life within Root."
"Yes. Thank you."
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Grass, where Iwagakure was negotiating a standoff with Konoha, the Tsuchikage quickly received news of Kumogakure's defeat.
"Raikage's generation just keeps getting weaker…" Ōnoki scowled in frustration, cursing under his breath.
It hadn't even been that long…
Raikage was defeated, Eight-Tails was defeated… The Kumogakure forces had collapsed… What kind of ridiculous reports were these?
"We need to decide quickly. If we delay any longer, this will turn into an all-out war," Akatsuchi advised, watching Ōnoki pace back and forth.
The negotiations between Konoha and Iwagakure had made no progress, and minor skirmishes were becoming increasingly frequent. The number of casualties on both sides was already climbing into double digits.
Once the news of Kumogakure's defeat spread across the battlefield, Konoha's forces would only grow bolder.
Ōnoki's expression darkened.
"Agree to Konoha's terms. As long as they don't harm Iwagakure's interests, we'll accept them. Have Akatsuchi's forces withdraw to the Land of Earth immediately… Hmph, those useless Kumogakure shinobi…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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